Takeup mechanism for looms



Nov. 17, 1942. w. F. ASTLEY TAKEUP MECHANISM FOR LOOMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 10, 1940 NNN WM NN QN NW 1942. w. F. ASTLEY TAKEUP MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Original Filed Feb. 10; 1940 2 SheetsSheet 2 NNY an? RN R Patented Nov. 17, 1942 TAKEUP MECHANISM FOR LQOMS William F. Astley, Cicero, 111., assignor to Union Asbestos & Rubber Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Original application February 10, 1940, Serial No.

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to takeup mechanism for looms, and is particularly concerned with takeup mechanism for a loom adapted to make insulating tape of the type having a woven sheath and a filler of asbestos fibers.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved takeup mechanism whereby one of the sides of the woven sheath of such an insulating tape may bemade of greater length so that when the sheath is wrapped around a pipe the outer side of the sheath has a greater length required for extending about the periphery of the pipe without compressing the filling of the tape. The inner layer and the outer layer of such a sheath when wrapped around a pipe are at different radii, and the outer layer should therefore be of greater length. This is accomplished by a machine constructed according to the invention by providing warp threads for the outer layer of the sheath of greater length and by using a takeup mechanism constructed according to the invention for constantly withdrawing this outer layer of the sheath from the loom at a faster rate than the remainder of the sheath.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved takeup mechanism which is sturdy, simple, capable of being applied to various types of looms, and adapted to be manufactured at a low cost.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference are used throughout the several views.

Referring to the two sheets of drawings accompanying this specification,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a loom constructed according to the invention and equipped with a takeup mechanism adapted to provide the sheath of the insulating tape with a longer outer wall;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the takeup mechanism shown apart from the machine;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the takeup mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the plane of the line l4 of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig, 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

The present application is a division of my prior application Serial No. 318,228, filed February 10, 1940, Methods and apparatus for weav- Divided and this application September 23, 1940, Serial No. 357,902

ing insulating materials, and the present invention relates specifically to one of the forms of the takeup mechanism forming a part of said apparatus.

The insulating tape made according to the present methods and apparatus is covered by my prior application Serial No. 300,104, filed October 19, 1939, for improvements in Heat insulating tape and methods of manufacture.

Thistape comprises a woven sheath of tubular form and a plurality of large loose soft rovings of asbestos fibers, the fibers being preferably embraced by one or more spirally extending threads and having one 'or more asbestos threads in-.

cluded as a core,

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the insulating tape made by the present machine when equipped with the feed mechanism is that. the outerwall of the sheath is longer, as evidenced by a puckered conditionwhich is illustrated in my prior application on the tape Serial No.300,104.

This puckered condition actually represents a greater length in the woven fabric at the outer wall of-the sheath, and is included forthe reason that the outer wall of the sheath is disposed at a greater radius from the center of a pipe than the inner wall when the tape is Wrapped on thepipe. This being the condition, the outer wall will not be under such great tension in the tape made by the present machine as it will be in the devices of the prior art, where both walls, inner and outer, of the sheath are of the same length. 1

The tape made by this machine will, therefore, tend to maintain its filler in a loose, fluffy condition, instead of tending to compress the filler when a tape is wrapped about a pipe.

Referring to Fig. 1, this is an elevational view of a loom or weaving machine which utilizes a takeup mechanism constructed according to the invention, The same numerals are used in the drawings as in the parent case, in order to maintain a clear connection with the parent case, although a great many numerals employed in the parent application will be omitted, due to the fact that they relate to elements not forming a part of the present takeup mechanism.

The weaving machine preferably comprises a framework which may consist of suitable vertically extending frame members joined by horizontal frame members, and having rearwardly extending diagonal frame members BI and 62 with an open bearing 63 for supporting a trunnion 64 of a feed drum 65.

The feed drum 65 extends across the back of the machine and is adapted to be rotated at a suitable speed for feeding the warp strands to the machine in proper relative length. For example, the warp strands 59 coming from suitable spools may extend over supporting dowels E35 carried by the frame members E51, and extend thence down about the drum 55. The drum 55 has two cylindrical portions 68 of the same diameter, and a central cylindrical portion 65 of a larger diameter. These cylindrical portions are preferably separated by intervening flanges it, and the warp strands wound about these portions respectively may be identified by numerals 59a, 59b. The warp strands 5th wound about the central larger cylindrical drum portion 69 are those warp strands which are to be used for the upper and outside portion of the sheath of the tape. The warp strands We are those wound about the drum portions 63 of reduced diameter, and are for weaving the rest of the sheath, comprising the edges, and inside wall of the sheath when it is wrapped on the pipe.

All of these drum portions are fixedly secured and rotate together, and thereforev the warp strands 59b for the outer wall of the tape sheath are fed at a greater rate, and are necessarily longer, than the rest oi' the warp strands in the sheath. The purpose of this is to increase the length of the sheath at its outer diameter when it is applied to the pipe so that the outer wall of the sheath, when it is applied to the pipe will not be so tightly tensione'd as it otherwise would be, and it will not tend to compress the large, loose soft members which are used as a filler.

The insulating. value of the assembly is enhanced by maintaining the filler in its most loose and soft condition, due to the insulating value of the air in the interstices between the fibers. It is this extra length of the outer wall of the sheath which results in what may be called a crimped or puckered appearance in the outer wall of the sheath. The amount of crimp depends somewhat upon the thickness. of the filler, as the crimp is intended to supply the extra peripheral length for the outer wall of the sheath, which is rendered necessary by the location of this wall at a greater radius from the center of the pipe.

Insulating tapes have been constructed with from twenty-two percent to twenty-four percent of crimp, and other thinner tapes with approximately sixteen percent of crimp. The amount of crimp can readily be calculated by calculating the theoretical circumference of the insulated pipe-assembly at the outer wall of the sheath and at the inner wall, as will be evident to one skilled in the art.

In addition to the supports for the warp strands the frame members 60 may support a plurality of suitable idler rolls 1589 and the machine is also provided with suitable supports for the insulating filler members 5| which pass over the rollers 82 into a condensing tube H2. The machine also comprises a suitable frame 9% Which provides support for heddles for controlling the warp strands and forming the shed 9|, through which the shuttle moves in the weaving of the tubular sheath. The loom is in many respects similar to the construction of ordinary weavingjlooms, and therefore only the additional structures or points of difference will be described in detail. The heddles, some of which are indicated by the numerals 92-I0|, may be supported from the top by means of suitable metal chains m2, passing over pulleys I93; and similarly, at the bottom, by chains EM, passing over pulleys lot.

Like the other looms of the prior art, the heddles are actuated by means of a suitable cam or cams (not shown) for the purpose of moving the strands back and forth in between each of the movements of the shuttle which passes through the shed 9i.

As this part of the loom is like the devices of the prior art in respect to the warp threads, and as the shuttle structure is likewise similar to the devices of the prior art, they will not be described in detail.

Certain of the heddles, however, such as for example, numbers 92 and Nil, are adapted to control the movements of a plurality of tubular metal members Me, Hi which are adapted to support, move and protect the insulating filler members 2! as they progress past the heddles, and are placed in predetermined position within the sheath as it is woven.

The condensing member I 52 comprises a tube with a bell shaped end l2! for receiving the insulating filler members 2! and guiding them and shaping them. From the shaping members I I2 the filler strands pass into the tubular members i i l which are pivotally supported by frame members l2? and pintle brackets 28. Tubular members H l are pivotally joined to tubular members i as, and the ends of the tubular members I l 51 are located to discharge the filler members 2! at the point where the sheath is being woven. The reed of the loom is carried by a movably mounted member M5, which is pivoted at Hii, and all of the tubular members H0 extend through the reed, which is relatively deep and coarse. If it were not for the guiding and protecting tubes H0, Hi, the filler, which comprises large, loose soft members of asbestos fibers, would be torn to pieces by the heddles and reeds.

25 indicates the woven and filled sheath as it emerges from the loom at the left of Fig. 1, and it is at this point that the loom is provided with a ta :eup mechanism preferably constructed as shown in detail in Figs. 2 to 5. E62 indicates a support for an angular guide M3, over which the insulating tape passes as it is directed through the aperture E64 to pass about a driven feed roll I45 and thence to other parts of the machine for applying a waterproof coating, or to a roll by means of which the tape is coiled.

Various types of takeup mechanism may be utilized, such as the one shown in the parent application, which operates at a regular rate of speed continuously, or the one which is the subject of the present application, which operates step by step. This takeup mechanism is pivotally mounted on the frame at ill by means of an arm I70, comprising an elongated bar of metal.

In this embodiment the supporting plate H9 is again provided with a shaft 172 fixedly secured thereto and rotatably supporting a toothed metal drum H3.

The toothed metal drum has secured thereto a ratchet wheel E74 by means of the screw bolts H5, and the ratchet wheel is adapted to actuate the drum. The plate I16 carries a retaining pawl lifi, which is rotatably mounted on a screw bolt I'll that is threaded into the plate Fit.

The pawl H6 is urged into engagement with the ratchet by reason of its weight, the pawl being disposed in the position of Fig. 4, where its free end tends to pivot downward into engagement with the ratchet at all times.

In order to actuate the ratchet wheel I14, the plate I10 slidably supports a second or sliding plate I18, having a transversely extending plate I19 secured thereto to be used as a shoulder that is engaged by a part of the reed I423.

The plate I18 is slidably mounted by means of a pair of screw bolts I83, which pass through the slots I8I, and are threaded into the plate I10. The plate I18 has an elongated and enlarged slot I82 surounding the shaft I12 and the stud bolt I11 carried by the plate lit.

An actuating lever I83is pivotally mounted between its ends on the shaft I12, by means of an aperture I84. At its lower end it is pivotally mounted on a pin Or screw belt 885, which is carried by the plate I18 (see Fig. 5) and the bolt I85 is located in a slot I86 in the lever I83. At its upper end the lever I83 carries a driving pawl I81 by means of a screw bolt ms fixedly secured to the plate and pivotally supporting the pawl It will be observed that the pawl I21 is also urged into engagement with the ratchet by gravity.

The operation of this type of puckering mechanism for the sheath is as follows: Each time that the lay or reed Hi moves toward the left in Fig. 1, it engages the member I19 and causes the plate I18 to slide toward the left in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

This causes the lever I83 to move pivotally in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, under the action of the pin I85 on the lever I81, and moves the pawl I81 to the right. The pawl I 81 acting on the ratchet I14 movesthe toothed take-up roller I13, to which the ratchet is connected, in a clockwise direction. This causes the side of the tape having the longer warp threads, which is engaged by the teeth of the roller I13, to be advanced at a faster rate than the other side of the tape with its shorter warp threads. The layer of tape with the shorter warp threads governs the speed of withdrawal of the tape in accordance with the weaving rate, and the rate of movement of the take-up mechanism is, therefore, sufficiently faster than the weaving rate of the tape to compensate for the increased length of the longer warp threads, and to keep the longer warp thread side puckered up to the length of the short side. and thereby additionally to maintain proper withdrawing tension on the longer warp threads.

During the above described first half of the cycle of the take-up mechanism the spring i9 3 is compressed by the movement of the slide I18. Upon release of the member I19 on a return movement of the lay I40, the spring Isl! moves the slide I18 to the right, and reverses the action of the pin I85, lever I83 and pawl l81. to move the pawl leftward from the position of 3 and take a new bite on a tooth of the ratchet I14. The pawl I holds the ratchet against counterclockwise movement during this second half of the cycle.

The toothed drum I13 withdraws from the loom the outer wall of the sheath having the long warp threads at a greater speed than the opposite or short warp side of the tape, and causes a puckering of the outer wall which is actually a greater length of fabric in. that wall.

Thus, the insulating tape may be made according to the present method and by the pres ent machine is adapted to have its outer wall proportioned in length to the increased peripherywhich is necessary to such a wall when the tape is wound about a pipe.

Thepresent takeup mechanism may be moved out of operative position by merely pivoting the arm I10 upwardly on the pivot HI and supporting the toothed drum I13 out of engagement with the tape. It is sturdy and simple, and being actuated by the reed or lay I40, it may be applied to any loom with a minimum amount of change of structure of the loom.

Insulating tape manufactured by a loom having takeup mechanism of the present type is adapted to be applied to a pipe by spiral wrapping with a minimum amount of stretching of the outer wall and a minimum amount of compression of the large, loose and soft filling, which should be maintained in this condition for a maxmium heat insulating value.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: I

1. A take-up mechanism for a loom adapted to weave insulating tape of the type having a tubular insulating sheath, and a fibrous filler, comprising an arm pivoted to said support and extending longitudinally of the tape as it is discharged from said loom, a shaft carried by said arm, a toothed roller carried by said shaft and rotatably mounted thereon, the teeth of said roller being of sufficient length to penetrate one side of the sheath, said arm and roller resting on the woven tape by gravity, an actuating member comprising a bar slidably mounted on guides on said arm, and having an end portion adapted to be engaged by the lay, a ratchet wheel secured to said toothed roller, a holding pawl carried by said arm and engaging said ratchet wheel, and a second pawl adapted to be actuated by said actuating member to advance said ratchet wheel step by step upon engagement of the lay with said actuating member to eifect a positive withdrawal of the outer wall of the tape and to produce a wavy or puckered condition in said outer wall.

2. A take-up mechanism for a loom adapted to weave insulating tape of the type having a tubular insulating sheath, and a fibrous filler, comprising an arm pivoted to said support and extending longitudinally of the tape as it is discharged from said loom, a shaft carried by said arm, a toothed roller carried by said shaft and rotatably mounted thereon, the teeth of said roller being of suflicient length to penetrate one side of the sheath, said arm and roller resting on the woven tape by gravity, an actuating member comprising a bar slidably mounted on guides on said arm, and having an end portion adapted to be engaged by the lay, a ratchet wheel secured to said toothed roller, a holding pawl carried by said arm and engaging said ratchet wheel, and a second pawl adapted to be actuated by said actuating member to advance said ratchet wheel step by step upon engagement of the lay with, said actuating member to effect a postitive withdrawal of the outer wall of the tape and to produce a wavy or puckered condition in said outer wall, said second pawl being carried by a lever adapted to oscillate on said shaft, said lever being actuated by said actuating member.

3. A take-up mechanism for a loom adapted to Weave insulating tape of the type having a tubu- 1ar-insulating sheath, and a fibrous filler, comprising an arm pivoted to said support and extending longitudinally of the tape as it is discharged from said loom, a shaft carried by said arm, a toothed roller carried by said shaft and rotatably mounted thereon, the teeth of said roller being of sumcient length to'penetrate one side of the sheath, said arm and roller resting on the woven tape by gravity, an actuating member comprising a bar slidably mounted on guides on said arm, and having an end portion adapted to be engaged by the lay, a ratchet wheel secured to said toothed roller, a holding pawl carried by said arm and engaging said ratchet wheel, and a second pawl adapted to be actuated by said actuating member to advance said ratchet wheel step by step upon engagement of the lay with said actuating member to effect a positive withdrawal of the outer Wall of the tape and to produce a wavy or puckered condition in said outer wall, said second pawl being carried by a lever adapted to oscillate on said shaft, said lever being actu ated by said actuating member through the engagement of a pin carried by said actuating member ina slot of said lever.

4. A take-up mechanism for a loom adapted to weave insulating tape of the type having a tubular insulating sheath, and a fibrous filler,

comprising an arm pivoted to said support and extending longitudinally of the tape as it is discharged from said loom, a shaft carried by said arm, a toothed roller carried by said shaft and rotatably mounted thereon, the teeth of said roller being of sufficient length to penetrate one side of the sheath, said arm and roller resting on the woven tape by gravity, an actuating member comprising a bar slidably mounted on guides on said arm, and having an end portion adapted to be engaged by the lay, a ratchet wheel secured to said toothed roller, a holding pawl carried by said arm and engaging said ratchet wheel, and a second pawl adapted to be actuated by said actuating member to advance said ratchet wheel step by step upon engagement of the lay with said actuating member to effect a positive withdrawal of the outer Wall of the tape and to produce a wavy or puckered condition in said outer wall, said second pawl being carried by a lever adapted to oscillate on said shaft, said lever being actuated by said actuating member through the engagement of a pin carried by said actuating member in a slot of said lever, and spring actuated means for urging said actuating member in a direction to cause said second pawl to move to a new actuating position on said ratchet wheel.

WILLIAM F. ASTLEY. 

